Manchester City Faces Injury Woes as Guardiola’s Squad Struggles Ahead of Sporting Lisbon Showdown
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is grappling with a significant injury list as his team prepares for a crucial Champions League clash against Sporting Lisbon. Several key players are sidelined, leaving Guardiola’s options for squad rotation limited as the November fixture congestion builds.
City is confirmed to be without John Stones and Ruben Dias in defense, while Jack Grealish, Rodri, and Oscar Bobb are also ruled out. Additionally, Manuel Akanji and Nathan Ake remain less than fully fit, and Kyle Walker, Jeremy Doku, Savinho, and Kevin De Bruyne were recently involved in the squad but are not yet fully match-ready. This lineup of injuries means City will need to carefully manage fitness levels, especially in their upcoming match in Portugal.
Here’s a look at the latest on each sidelined player.
John Stones
Injury: Foot
Update: Stones is struggling with a painful plantar fasciitis issue and won’t be available for the Champions League game in Lisbon. His return before the international break is uncertain.
Expected Return: Brighton (A) – November 9
Ruben Dias
Injury: Muscular
Update: Dias suffered an injury during the cup match against Spurs and missed the Bournemouth game. He is likely to remain out until after the international break.
Expected Return: Tottenham (A) – November 23
Savinho
Injury: Ankle
Update: Initially thought to be a severe injury after he was stretchered off against Spurs, Savinho made a quick recovery and was an unused substitute against Bournemouth. He might feature against Sporting Lisbon.
Expected Return: Sporting Lisbon (A) – November 5
Jeremy Doku
Injury: Unknown
Update: Doku has bounced back faster than expected, joining the squad against Bournemouth. His return to action is anticipated soon.
Expected Return: Sporting Lisbon (A) – November 5
Jack Grealish
Injury: Unknown
Update: Grealish sustained an injury in training before the Champions League match against Sparta Prague and is expected to be out until after the international break.
Expected Return: Tottenham (H) – November 23
Kevin De Bruyne
Injury: Thigh
Update: De Bruyne has been out since the Inter Milan game in the Champions League. While he was on the bench against Bournemouth, he was never expected to play. It remains unlikely he will be risked for Sporting Lisbon.
Expected Return: Brighton (A) – November 9
Rodri
Injury: Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL)
Update: City’s influential midfielder sustained a serious knee injury, ruling him out for the season. The target is for him to return at the start of the next campaign.
Expected Return: August 2025
Oscar Bobb
Injury: Fractured Leg
Update: Bobb suffered a leg fracture in August, and City is hoping he will be ready to return for the festive season.
Expected Return: December
With such an extensive injury list, Guardiola faces a challenging task in keeping his squad competitive, particularly in the high-stakes Champions League campaign.
